Along the auroral field lines, a fraction of the energetic electrons injected from the magnetotail is reflected by the Earth’s convergent geomagnetic field. The reflected loss-cone electrons are unstable with respect to the cyclotron maser instability, resulting in the auroral kilometric radiation. This paper investigates the kinetic friction force exerted on the energetic electrons by the enhanced radiation field. It is found that the enhanced radiation results in a deceleration of reflected electrons, thereby providing an effective resistivity. In addition, the rate of decrease (increase) of effective perpendicular (parallel) kinetic temperatures is also evaluated. The analysis is carried out over various physical parameters such as the degree of loss cone, average particle energy, and the ratio of plasma frequency to cyclotron frequency ${\mathrm{\omega }}_{\mathit{e}}^2$/${\mathrm{\Omega }}^2$.

• Received 17 July 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.44.6819